Chinese Sticky Chicken Recipe: How to Make It at Home

If you're looking for a quick and easy family dinner recipe, Chinese sticky chicken is an excellent choice. This dish is a homemade alternative to Chinese takeaway that is sure to please everyone's taste buds. With a sweet, salty, spicy, and sticky sauce and crispy chicken, it's no wonder that this dish is a favourite among many households.

To make the perfect Chinese sticky chicken, you'll need to have the essential ingredients on hand. Soy sauce, honey, garlic, and sesame oil are just a few of the ingredients that make this dish so flavourful. Preparing the chicken is also an essential step in ensuring that it comes out crispy and delicious. Coating the chicken in cornstarch before frying it is a technique that many chefs use to achieve that perfect texture.

There are many ways to serve and pair Chinese sticky chicken. Rice and sesame seeds are a popular choice, but you can also pair it with vegetables or noodles. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add seafood to the dish. Shrimp or scallops are excellent options that will add a unique flavour to this classic recipe.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese sticky chicken is a quick and easy family dinner recipe that is a homemade alternative to Chinese takeaway.
• Essential ingredients like soy sauce, honey, garlic, and sesame oil are key to making this dish flavourful.
• To achieve the perfect texture, coat the chicken in cornstarch before frying it. Serve with rice, sesame seeds, or vegetables, and consider adding seafood like shrimp or scallops for a unique flavour.

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making Chinese sticky chicken, there are a few essential ingredients that you will need to have on hand. These ingredients include proteins and vegetables, as well as sauces and seasonings.

Proteins and Vegetables

The primary protein used in Chinese sticky chicken recipes is chicken, which can be prepared using chicken breasts, drumsticks, or chicken thighs. You can also use seafood as a substitute for chicken, such as prawns or squid, to add some variety to the dish.

In addition to protein, vegetables are an essential ingredient in Chinese sticky chicken. Some of the vegetables that you can use include garlic, onion, green onions, and ginger. You can also add other vegetables, such as broccoli, bok choy, or carrots, to add more flavour and texture to the dish.

Sauces and Seasonings

The sauces and seasonings used in Chinese sticky chicken recipes are what give the dish its unique flavour. Some of the sauces and seasonings that you will need include soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and ketchup. You can also add sesame seeds, sugar, or other spices to the dish to enhance the flavour.

To prepare the chicken, you will need to marinate it in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and other seasonings for at least an hour. Then, you can cook the chicken in a frying pan or bake it in the oven until it is cooked through and sticky.

In summary, when making Chinese sticky chicken, you will need to have a variety of essential ingredients on hand, including protein, vegetables, sauces, and seasonings. By using the right combination of ingredients, you can create a delicious and flavourful dish that your family and friends will love.

Preparing the Chicken

Before you start cooking your Chinese sticky chicken, you need to prepare the chicken properly. This section will guide you through the steps for preparing the chicken.

Marinade and Seasoning

To make the chicken juicy and flavourful, you need to marinate it. You can mix soy sauce, honey, mirin, and other seasonings of your choice to make the marinade. You can also add salt and pepper to the marinade to enhance the flavour.

Cutting and Coating

Cut the chicken into bite-size chunks or use boneless chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks. Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch or cornflour to give them a crispy texture. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper to the cornstarch for added flavour.

If you prefer seafood, you can use prawns or scallops to make your Chinese sticky seafood dish. You can marinate the seafood in the same marinade as the chicken and coat them in cornstarch before frying them.

By following these simple steps, you can prepare the chicken for your Chinese sticky chicken dish.

Cooking Techniques

Stovetop Method

The stovetop method is a quick and easy way to make Chinese sticky chicken. It involves cooking the chicken in a skillet or frying pan and then adding the sticky glaze towards the end of the cooking process. This method is perfect for those who prefer their chicken to be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

To begin, heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan and cook it for 3-4 minutes on each side, until it is browned and crispy. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a plate.

Next, add the sticky glaze to the pan and cook it for 1-2 minutes until it thickens. Then, return the chicken to the pan and coat it in the glaze. Cook the chicken for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the glaze is fully coated and the chicken is heated through.

Oven Baking

Oven baking is another great way to make Chinese sticky chicken. It involves coating the chicken in a sticky glaze and baking it in the oven until it is fully cooked and the glaze is caramelized. This method is perfect for those who prefer their chicken to be tender and juicy with a crispy exterior.

To begin, preheat your oven to 400°F/200°C. Coat the chicken in cornstarch and season it with salt and pepper. Then, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides, and then remove it from the pan and place it in a baking dish.

Next, prepare the sticky glaze by whisking together honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sweet chilli sauce, ketchup, garlic, and ginger. Pour the glaze over the chicken in the baking dish, making sure it is fully coated.

Bake the chicken in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until it is fully cooked and the glaze is caramelized. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

If you want to add seafood to the recipe, you can use prawns or shrimp. To do this, simply sauté the prawns or shrimp in a separate pan until they are fully cooked, and then add them to the sticky glaze along with the chicken. This will give your dish a delicious seafood twist that is sure to impress your guests.

Serving and Pairing

Accompaniments

Chinese sticky chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of accompaniments. A popular option is to serve it with steamed rice, which helps to balance out the sweetness of the glaze. You can use either white, brown, or cauliflower rice, depending on your preference. Fried rice is another great option that adds a rich, savoury flavour to the dish. If you are looking for a low-carb alternative, you can serve the chicken with an Asian slaw or Asian mushroom ramen noodles.

If you want to add some seafood to the dish, prawns or shrimp can be a great addition. You can either cook them separately and serve them alongside the chicken or add them to the marinade and cook them together with the chicken.

Presentation Tips

When it comes to presentation, Chinese sticky chicken is a dish that looks great on a large platter. Arrange the chicken pieces neatly and drizzle the remaining glaze over the top. Sprinkle some sesame seeds and chopped spring onions on top to add some colour and texture to the dish.

If you are serving the chicken with rice, you can place the rice in a separate bowl or dish and serve it alongside the chicken. This makes it easier for your guests to portion out the rice and chicken as they please.

When it comes to servings, a general rule of thumb is to allow for one chicken thigh per person. If you are serving other dishes alongside the chicken, you can reduce the number of chicken thighs accordingly.

In summary, Chinese sticky chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be served with a variety of accompaniments. Whether you choose to serve it with rice, noodles, or an Asian slaw, the sweet and savoury flavours of the chicken will complement any side dish. With a little bit of presentation know-how, you can create a stunning dish that will impress your guests.

Nutritional Information

If you're watching your calorie intake, it's important to know that Chinese sticky chicken can be quite high in calories. One serving of the recipe provided contains 542 kcal. The dish is also high in fat, with 28g per serving, and contains 47g of carbohydrates. However, it's also a good source of protein, with 26g per serving.

If you're looking to reduce the fat content of the dish, you could consider using skinless chicken breast instead of thighs. You could also try using a cooking spray instead of oil to reduce the amount of fat used.

The recipe also contains 22g of sugar, which is quite high. If you're looking to reduce your sugar intake, you could try using a sugar substitute or reducing the amount of honey used in the recipe.

If you're watching your sodium intake, it's worth noting that the recipe contains 1915mg of sodium per serving, which is quite high. You could try reducing the amount of soy sauce used or using a low-sodium soy sauce instead.

If you're looking to add more nutrition to the dish, you could consider adding some seafood. Prawns or scallops would both work well in this recipe and would add some extra protein and omega-3 fatty acids to the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients do I need for a sticky chicken marinade?

To make the perfect sticky chicken marinade, you will need soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar. You can also add some red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat in your chicken.

How can I make a simple sticky sauce for chicken?

To make a simple sticky sauce for chicken, you can use a combination of soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl and then cook it on low heat until it thickens. You can also add some cornstarch to thicken the sauce even more.

Can you suggest a good side dish to serve with sticky chicken?

Sticky chicken goes well with steamed rice or noodles. You can also serve it with some stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and snow peas. If you want to add seafood to your meal, you can try serving it with some shrimp or scallops.

What's the secret to achieving soft and tender chicken in Chinese recipes?

The secret to achieving soft and tender chicken in Chinese recipes is to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking. You can also add some cornstarch to the marinade to help tenderize the chicken. Another tip is to cook the chicken on low heat for a longer period of time.

How long should I marinate chicken for a sticky glaze?

To achieve the perfect sticky glaze, you should marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. However, if you have time, you can marinate it for up to 24 hours to allow the flavours to develop even more.

Any tips for a honey-based glaze for sticky chicken?

When making a honey-based glaze for sticky chicken, it's important to cook it on low heat to prevent the honey from burning. You can also add some soy sauce, garlic, and ginger to the glaze to give it some extra flavour. If you want to add seafood to your meal, you can try using prawns or squid in the glaze.